Electrode-adjusting mechanism for dehydrators



Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITED sTATEszI PATENT oi-Flclif RICHARD J. GERTZEN, oF oILMoN'i, MONTANA n ELECTRODE-ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR DEHYDRATORS Application filed May 15,

The water is generally removed from crude oil by the flow of an electric current of high voltage between two electrodes, one of which is fixed and the other adjustable.

The dehydrating process is usually carried out in a tank having a rounded top and is hazardous because of the high voltage current employed and because of the uncertain footing obtainable upon the top of the tank tails of construction may be resorted to..Y

within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention.l

and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawing hereto attached, in which,-

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a tank for dehydrating crude oil provided with means for adjusting the movable electrode embodying the invention. I

Figure 2 is an enlarged. sectional viewshowing the electrode adjusting means more clearly. f

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bearing' bracket.

Corresponding and like parts are referredto in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawing by like reference characters.

The numeral-1 denotes a tank such as generally used for dehydrating crude oil. Thenumeral 2 designates the rounded top of the tank and 3 represents a tubular extension projecting upwardly from the center of the top 2. The fixed electrode within the tank 1s indicated by the numeral 4 and the movable electrode by the numeral 5. A stem 6 projects vertically from the center of the mova- 1928. Serial No. 277,975. n

ble electrode 5, and is yieldably connected to a stem 7 by means of a spring 8. The upper portion of the stem 7 is threaded and receives a nut 9. Y

A bracket or extensionV 3a projects .out-f wardly from a side of the tubular extension 3 and receives the inner Lportion of alever 10 which is pivoted therein, the inner `extremity of the lever fitting loosely about the stem 7 and a cord or cabl-e 10a connecting the outer end of the lever with a windlass 410b readily accessible from the ground. The nut 9 threaded upon thev stem '7 restsupon-the inner end of the lever, 10 and when rotated effects a vertical movement of the stem 7 and '.65

a corresponding adjustment of the electrode 5. A stem 11. is provided at its lower end fwith a socket 11a which'slidably receives the nut 9.` A plug 12 closes the upper endy of the tubular extension 3 and the stemfll ism mounted therein, a close joint between the stem 11 and plug 12 being maintained by means of a stuiiing box 15a. 1 5

The upper portion of the stem 11 is mounted in the plug 12 and its projecting end .has e175 bevel gear 13 fast thereto.. The upper portion of the plug 12 is reduced and receivesl a clamp 14 from which a standard 15 projects vertically and terminates ina bearing 16. An

arm 17 projects laterally from the standard -80 15 and terminates ina bearing 18 inwhich the upper end of the stem 11 is .journaled A horizontal shaft 19 is j ournaled inthe bearing 16 and in a bearing provided at the upper Y end of a standard 2O secured to the tank 1.; `85

A bevel gear 21fast to the inner end of` the shaft 19 is in mesh with the bevel gear 13.' A pulley 22 fast `to the outer end ofthe shaft 19 is'connected by means of a belt 23 with a pul.- 'ley 24 upon the side of the 'tank 1A adjacent 90 the lower end thereof, thereby'admitting of the belt 23 being readily accessible from the floor or ground for operation.4 Y

It will be readily understood from the fora-95 I going, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing that the movable electrode 5 may be readily adjusted from the floor without necessitating mounting of the tank, and

incurring the risk incident to one standing" 100 upon the top of the tank to effect adjustment of the movable electrode.

The lower portion of the stem 7 is flat and passes through a slot formed in a cross-piece 25 at the lower end of the tube 3 so that the stem will not rotate and consequently Will be caused to move up or down When the nut is rotated. The nut 49 and socket 11 provide for adjustment of the upper electrode to a proper 10 Working position but it may be necessary at A times to agitate the contents of the tank and for this purpose the lever l0 and cable l0 are brought into use in an obvious manner, the nut 9 sliding in the socket l1L While vertically reciprocating.

Hav-ing thus described the invention, I claim:

1. The combination With a tank for dehydrating crude oil, and fixed and movable 1. 20 electrodes therein, of means for adjusting the movable electrode from the floor Wi-thout necessitat-ing mounting of the tank, said means including a vertical stem having connection With lthe movable electrode, a hori- 'zontal shaft geared tothe stem and means for rotating the horizontal shaft from the iioor. A2. The combination With a tank for dehyfdrating crude oil, and lined and movable electrodes therein, -of means for adjusting the 30 movable electrode from the iioor Without necessitating mounting of the tank, said Imeans including a vertical 4stem having yieldylableV connection With the movable electrode, :a horizontal shaft geared to the verticalstem,

35 and means for rotating the horizontal shaft from the ioor.

3. The combinationvvi'th a tank for dehydrating crude oil,'and fixed-and movable electrodes therein, of .means for adjusting the :40 movable electrode Vfrom the floor Without necessitating mounting of the tank, said means Y including a'tubularextension rising from the top vof the tank, fa plug closing the upperend `of the tubular extensionfand having a `reduced Y v" portion, a clamp itted. to the reduced part "of the plug and having fa standard rising therefrom, a vstem'moun'ted inthe plug, a horizontal vshaft geared to the stem, and means for Yrotating the horizontal shaft from the floor.

v v2i. The combination with a tank for dehydratingcrude oil,iand fixed andmovable electrodes therein, .of means for adjusting the ymovablefelectrode from the floor Without ne! cessitating nmounting of the tank, said means including a stem, a nut threaded upon the stem, la second stem `provided With a socket i engaging the nut, a horizontal shaft geared 'tothe said'secon'd stem,'and means for operating the horizontal shaft from the floor.

n testimony whereof I a'HiX my signature.v

RICHARD J. GERTZEN. 

